Why it matters
The producer
Paul Bouchard, a Burgundian winemaker, came from Domaines Bouchard Aine et Fils in Beaune. Peter Finlayson was a South African Pinot Noir pioneer. The two founded Bouchard Finlayson in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in 1989, and the first commercial vintage was 1991.
Vines are planted at 9,000 vines per hectare. Green harvesting removes 35% of the crop at veraison, the stage when the grapes begin to ripen. Bouchard Finlayson is a pioneer for the World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley runs inland from the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. Hannibal carries the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, while Galpin Peak Bouchard Finlayson and Bouchard Finlayson Sauvignon Blanc are Cape South Coast wines. The labels separate the valley red blend from the Cape South Coast red and white bottles.
Wines to know
The range in view
Galpin Peak Bouchard Finlayson 2016 is a Cape South Coast Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noirs are built for ageing, with firm acidity and mineral definition the valley is known for.
Hannibal is a red blend built from 41% Sangiovese, 26% Nebbiolo, 8% Pinot Noir, 9% Shiraz, 6% Mourvedre and 10% Barbera. The 2020 vintage earned 93 points in the 2023 Tim Atkin SA Special Report.